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Saturday, December 1, 2012

Reds ink Kris Negron, Denis Phipps to minor league deals

The Cincinnati Reds non-tendered, but re-signed, two members of their 40-man roster Saturday.

Kris Negron and Denis Phipps were removed from the 40-man roster in preparation of the baseball winter meetings that will begin December 3 in Nashville, TN.

The transaction means that Reds now have two open spots on their roster, allowing them the flexibility to make trades and sign free agents without having to worry about finding a spot for them.

It also leaves Negron and Phipps open to the Rule 5 draft. Meaning they can be swiped from the Reds without any compensation-- something that very well may happen.
The move clearly indicates that the Reds plan to makes at least one more move before the off season, perhaps more. It also gives the Reds room to make multiple player deals.

Though the Reds could sign two major leaguers with the spots, they also have the ability now to make trades that could stock their minor leagues. Negron and Phipps are two good ball players, but are not the type of prospects that are going to turn heads.

It will be exciting to see what Cincinnati decides to do after this move. It frankly could mean the difference of a good major league team and a great one.